Need Some Info On A Starlet Gt

[kyle_d]

Hello, i have joined as i am after some info on Starlet GTs and i couldnt find much anywhere else.

I currently drive a 1.2 corsa C and in June when i get my first years no claims im wanting to upgrade, i was going to get a 1.8 corsa c (0-60 8.0s, 123bhp, 126mph) but im wanting some other ideas and a glanza is one.

I dont have much knowledge on cars really so could someone please give me the figures for a starlet GT standard? its not on parkers.

A very important question - what insurance group are these?!?!?

Are they reliable cars?

Are they easy to mod/increase bhp?

I want something thats pretty nippy, that i can tune. The corsa c i have at the moment is just for looks really, you cant do nowt to the engine cos its soo small its pointless.

Also, any pics of modded ones (not chavvy just nicely done ones)? I love this one:

Thanks!

[paulgtt]

Hi Kyle,

Good choice to look at a Starlet Turbo, I had one a few years ago.

Probably one of the best alround small cars you can get for the money.

They are also good on fuel providing you don't cane it everywhere!!!

As for performance a standard GT Turbo does 0-60 in 6.8, 1/4 mile in mid 15's and top speed of around 135mph. A Glanza is slightly slower due to being heavier and having a boost restriction in 1st and 2nd gear (however with the restriction removed it is very close 0-60 as a GT)

All Starlet Turbos are imports so insurance can be hard to get for a young driver. I was 19 with 1 year ncb and paid £930 tpft on a 1993 GT Turbo. Some places don't reconize the Glanza at all so try a specialist import company.

I never had any issues with mine in 2 1/2 years of ownership except the water pump failing but that wasn't an expensive fix. Parts are very easy to get hold of aswell.

There are lots of things you can do with them to increase the performance. Standard they are 133bhp but with an exhaust system, decat, decent air filter and boost increase should see around 150 ish.

I had an upgraded panel filter, front mount intercooler and a boost controller set at 12psi and I embarressed alot of bigger more powerful cars, they never believe you when you tell them its only a 1.3!!

In all honesty I would upgrade the handling first as they aren't the greatest through the twisties. However I would get used to the car properly before you start changing things.

There are lots about at the minute so don't rush into buying the first one you see.

Heres a few pics of mine before I sold her:

Hope this helps you a bit!!

[kyle_d]

Thats great mate thanks a lot, i'll do some quotes and see what theyre saying.

I do prefer the glanzas looks than the GTs.

Do you think i could pick up a decent glanza for 2500-3000?

Also, what are they like on petrol? Seriously. Because im starting a new job soon and it's 50 miles per day there and back 5 times a week. I'm hoping to get on the same shift as my mate so we can share cars but if not i'll have to do the trip myself 5 times a week.. Do you think it would take more than £40 to do 250 miles?

What are the common faults on them too, and i know nothing about turbos so any info on that would be great too.

[paulgtt]

I would say your looking more 3-3.5k for a decent Glanza, however 3k will get you a very good GT. Try the owners clubs as there are a lot of good cars being sold at the minute.

I could fill the tank on my GT with £30 and get around 280 miles to a tank if I drove it sensibly. Good thing with these cars is though that you have a 2 mode turbo so select low boost for fuel efficency and hi boost for when you want some fun!!

With a turbo you need to change the oil and filter at least every 5000 miles, even sooner if you drive it hard. A turbo also needs to warm up and cool down properly, never thrash it from cold. Allow the engine temp gauge to get to halfway and then another 10 minutes or so after that so the oil is up to temp before giving it the beans, I never go above 3000 rpm until my engine is warmed up properly. Also after driving allow the engine to idle to allow the turbo to cool down. If you've just be pottering through town then you won't need to but definately allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before you turn the engine off if you have been doing any spirited driving. You could invest in a turbo timer which leaves the engine running (for a set period of time) with no key in the ignition, this allows the engine to cool down without the need for you to sit in the car waiting.

There aren't usual many faults with Starlets, check the usual things as with any car.

However front drive shaft gaiters can split but not a big fix to sort them. The 4EFTE engine (Starlet turbo lump) normally sounds a bit tappety so don't be alarmed by it. Definatly check underneath the car and around the arches as being imports they don't have underseal on them and if its been over here for a bit with no underseal they can rust quite badly.

Any smoke out of the exhaust is never a good thing, expect a little bit of condensation this time of year but clouds of smoke is a big problem. Check in your rear view mirror whilst test driving one and look for smoke out the back when you put your foot down.

Also check the clutch as these can wear, especially with hard use, select a high gear say 4th at about 30mph and put the accelerator to the floor if the revs rise quickly but the speed doesn't then the clutch is slipping and will need replacing.

Be wary of a car with an aftermarket exhaust manifold as these usual end up cracking, they can be rewelded but might be an idea to see if the owner has the standard cast one aswell, they aren't big money 2nd hand.

Just be confident when looking round one, it may have a few fancy extras but don't let that distract you from the rest of the car. I would much sooner buy on condition and by how well the car has been looked after (big folder full of receipts) rather than sticking to a set year and mileage. Where just abouts are you? Would be a very good idea to take a member whos had/owns one to have a look round one with you.

[kyle_d]

I would say your looking more 3-3.5k for a decent Glanza, however 3k will get you a very good GT. Try the owners clubs as there are a lot of good cars being sold at the minute.

I prefer the front end of the glanza, not really a fan of the front on the GT. Are there any other decent places to look for a Glanza for sale other than UKSC? I cant look just yet cos i need to save more and i also have to wait until my years no claim which is June.

I could fill the tank on my GT with £30 and get around 280 miles to a tank if I drove it sensibly. Good thing with these cars is though that you have a 2 mode turbo so select low boost for fuel efficency and hi boost for when you want some fun!!

Do all models have the 2 mode turbo and can you alter it from in the car? 280 miles serious? Is that from changing gear at like 3k in every gear? I only get that from my 1.2 corsa cos i always change gear at about 4-5k in low gears for it to actually try and go somewhere, plus i like the sound of the exhaust lol.

With a turbo you need to change the oil and filter at least every 5000 miles, even sooner if you drive it hard. A turbo also needs to warm up and cool down properly, never thrash it from cold. Allow the engine temp gauge to get to halfway and then another 10 minutes or so after that so the oil is up to temp before giving it the beans, I never go above 3000 rpm until my engine is warmed up properly. Also after driving allow the engine to idle to allow the turbo to cool down. If you've just be pottering through town then you won't need to but definately allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before you turn the engine off if you have been doing any spirited driving. You could invest in a turbo timer which leaves the engine running (for a set period of time) with no key in the ignition, this allows the engine to cool down without the need for you to sit in the car waiting.

Thats verrrrry useful information mate, i didnt have no clue about driving a turbo car. If your only going on a short journey, for example to the supermarket, will it be fine to just turn it over and drive off if your driving steady? As i do quite a lot of short journeys, but when i start my new job i'll be doing 50mile journeys every day. Also, how much are turbo timers? My dads Izuzu jeep has one on and it keeps the car running for like 5 minutes after youve locked the car then turns off.

There aren't usual many faults with Starlets, check the usual things as with any car.

However front drive shaft gaiters can split but not a big fix to sort them. The 4EFTE engine (Starlet turbo lump) normally sounds a bit tappety so don't be alarmed by it. Definatly check underneath the car and around the arches as being imports they don't have underseal on them and if its been over here for a bit with no underseal they can rust quite badly.

Any smoke out of the exhaust is never a good thing, expect a little bit of condensation this time of year but clouds of smoke is a big problem. Check in your rear view mirror whilst test driving one and look for smoke out the back when you put your foot down.

Also check the clutch as these can wear, especially with hard use, select a high gear say 4th at about 30mph and put the accelerator to the floor if the revs rise quickly but the speed doesn't then the clutch is slipping and will need replacing.

Be wary of a car with an aftermarket exhaust manifold as these usual end up cracking, they can be rewelded but might be an idea to see if the owner has the standard cast one aswell, they aren't big money 2nd hand.

Just be confident when looking round one, it may have a few fancy extras but don't let that distract you from the rest of the car. I would much sooner buy on condition and by how well the car has been looked after (big folder full of receipts) rather than sticking to a set year and mileage. Where just abouts are you? Would be a very good idea to take a member whos had/owns one to have a look round one with you.

Lots of excellent tips to look for there, nearer the time i will try and get a member to come look with me or something.

I'm thinking about seeing if there are any members on UKSC from leeds that are willing to meet up with me and show me around the car (prefferbly a glanza as thats what im mainly interested in) and tell me some info about them then take me for a spin. Do you think anyone would do that?

Thanks mate!

[paulgtt]

You could try looking on toyotaownersclub.com however most people on there are on uksc anyway. Pistonheads might be worth a try but I would definatly buy from an owners club.

Both models have the 2 mode turbo. 280 miles isn't really achievable doing short journeys, I manged it going on holiday!! You would average around 200-230 if you go quite steady.

Theres no need to drive to 5k before changing up, thats how a car especially a turbo guzzles fuel. Starlets come on boost around 2.8-3k revs so changing gear around about then will save fuel.

Its fine to turn them straight off if you have just pootled gently down to Asda!! Turbo timers vary in price, most will automatically set a time limit depending on how hot the turbo actually is. You can pick them up for around £50-£100, bear in mind that they aren't compatible with all alarm systems though, check before buying one!

Im sure someone would be willing to go look with you/show you around their car, most people on UKSC are friendly enough! Just ask!!

Im not too far away from Leeds so if you see any that you like the look of a bit further South (Lincoln, Nottingham, Leicester, Peterborough way) Il glady go and have a look with you.

[kyle_d]

Thanks a lot pal, thats very kind of you :) I'll bare that in mind when i come to buying one. It will be a while yet though. I'll definately remember that though as i would want to take someone that knows the cars because id have no clue really and id just buy it if it looked nice and i wouldnt want to do that with a car like this.

By turning them straight off on 5-10min journeys what do you mean, the turbo? If so how do you turn it off completely.

[paulgtt]

Thats cool mate, just give us a shout if you see one you want to look at down this way.

I mean its ok to turn the engine straight off if you have just driven gently for a while ;)

[twincam2]

hi man i duno if any1 can help me but i waz just wondering i have a 92 starlet 1331cc jap import just wonderin if a gt turbo engine outta 1 lyk urs wud fit straight in an if so wa do i hav to change lyk wirin etc?

thanks! :)

[paulgtt]

Not definately sure but I would imagine you'd be looking at engine, all ancilliaries, wiring loom, ecu.

Possibly gearbox, front drive shafts, front brakes??

[twincam2]

Not definately sure but I would imagine you'd be looking at engine, all ancilliaries, wiring loom, ecu.

Possibly gearbox, front drive shafts, front brakes??

alri tnx m8 dont think ill bother this is my 1->

better off just searchin for a cheap gt dat needs some work lol cheers tho :)

its a 15 valve the engines actually ace just bad pic lol